A Human Rights Activist, Comrade Adewale Oladipupo, has warned that, wanton destruction of heritage buildings, private properties and business premises belonging to Yoruba in any guise whatsoever would not be tolerated and would be redressed accordingly.
Adewale, who is the Convener, Epe Youth Forum (EYF), sounded the note of warning Thursday, October 22, 2020, in Epe, Lagos state in an interview with our correspondent where he stated with emphasis that, any attempt to further destroy properties belonging to the Yoruba in Lagos or anywhere in the south-west in the guise of any protest would be resisted.
According to him, the warning is necessary because of his findings that properties belonging to Yoruba in the state were targets of the vandals who are sponsored by enemies of the race, pointing out that, “the number of Yoruba properties destroyed in the name #EndSARS protest in Lagos alone was almost 50!
The development, Adewale suspected that, “someone or people somewhere must have declared war on Lagos State and by extension on the South-West and only a fool will clap while his father’s house is being destroyed,” pointing out that, the pattern the destruction was taking appears borne out of envy, hatred and complex.
The Forum leader who said mention of a few of the properties destroyed, vandalized, looted and set ablaze would suffice to buttress his point produce a list that read thus:
1. Nigeria Port Authority Lagos – set ablaze
2. Orile Police Post, Lagos – set ablaze
3. Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos – totally destroyed
4. BRT Terminal, Oyingbo – New Buses set on fire
5. Television Continental, Ketu, Lagos – set ablaze
6. VIO, FRSC Office, Ojodu – FRSC branded cars, generators set ablaze.
7. BRT Terminal, Ojodu, Lagos – buses set ablaze.
8. BRT Bus at Berger – set ablaze
9. Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja – shut down
10. Recreational Center, Oregun, Lagos – set on fire.
11. Oba’s Palace, Lagos – vandalized, His sceptre of authority seized.
12. Sanwo-Olu Mother’s House, Surulere, Lagos – set ablaze
13. Kings college on fire
14. Many lives lost already to the protests all in Lagos and South-west.
15. Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos attacked.
16. GTBank Branches burnt down
17. Access Bank Branches burnt down
18. Channels Television shut down
19. Ajeromi Local Govt Secretariat
20. Lagos-Island Local Govt destroyed
21. Lagos-Island East LCDA Secretariat set on fire
22. Lagos Mainland Local Govt Secretariat Destroyed
23. Ibeju Lekki LCDA Secretariat destroyed
24. Sanwo-Olu’s Uncle’s house on Lagos Island attacked.
He observed with dismay that, while Yoruba properties were up in flames, some areas like, the Trade Fair, Ladipo Market, Mazamaza, Alaba, Jibowu and Iddo parks that belong to another section of the country are standing erect and intact!
The EYF boss fingered the mayhem unleashed on specific Yoruba edifices and others on the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu who was alleged to have given out the order in a video clip to his followers to descend heavily on properties that belong to Yoruba, warning that, “our unrivalled hospitality should not be taken for granted.”
He, however, commended the Federal Government for showing maturity and being very democratic by allowing the protesters to voice out their grievance for 14 days without interruption, commending the government for listening to the protesters’ complaints and taking steps to proffer solutions to them.
Adewale also hailed the genuine protesters, whose actions led to the goal scored that led to the scrapping of SARS and avenue to add to the demands on ground, admonishing that, it was time for them to retire home to give the government avenue to address all the demands before it.
Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State was also hailed for the manner he has been identifying with the protesters, reminding that he succeeded for over a week to keep the military out of the scene before the bubble that was beyond his control eventually burst.
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